Mining royalties for regions: Labor adds proposal to those of Liberals, Conservatives, SA Best

Farmers who have mineral deposits discovered and mined under their land will receive a 10 per cent share of royalties generated if state Labor is re-elected on March 17.

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Tom Koutsantonis announced the plan on February 15, saying mining and farming both had to flourish to support jobs growth.

Australian Conservatives MP Robert Brokenshire said he had been arguing in favour of “royalties for regions” for nine years, and that he wanted a higher rate of return to communities – 35 per cent.

The Liberals’ policy falls close to that figure but would spend the money differently.

Spokesman David Ridgway said the party would quarantine 30 per cent of mining royalties and invest it in regional roads and infrastructure, to the tune of an estimated $750 million over 10 years.

SA Best Legislative Council candidate Sam Johnson said the party would ask the next government to set aside 25 per cent of mining royalties for “new economic and social infrastructure” in country areas.